The Demise of Foxy Jack (Adventures of the X Pirates Book 1) by Edward Medina Page B

next, but he knew he was probably going to die.
    The Chief took two large puffs of his cigar.
    Here’s the problem, Actor.
    He pulled it from his mouth.
    You put the entire Organization at risk.
    He took another two big puffs and threw the stogie to the ground.
    You almost traded the harlot over the hustle.
    He crushed it under his foot.
    Careful Chief.
    The Actor threatened.
    No need to lose our manners here.
    The bear nodded his silent approval.
    Point taken, brother.
    The point being, brother, is that I chose to leave. I did my part, I revealed nothing, and the Organization is getting its in and out without any trouble.
    The bear thought and then agreed.
    That’s true.
    The trouble is you’re tainted now.
    The Linguist added.
    The Chief spit towards the woods.
    That’s true too.
    The bear said as the owl threw an empty sack on the road between them.
    What’s that?
    The fox asked.
    It’s for your body.
    The owl snickered.
    The real trouble is that you can never be trusted again and you know too much to let you just wander off.
    The fox heard something in the woods.
    I see your dilemma.
    Archie said as the bear pulled at the top of his cane and withdrew a sword from its deceptive sheath.
    You’ll understand if I don’t cooperate.
    Archie said as the owl pulled a knife from inside his vest pocket. He clicked it open with a quick flick of the wrist.
    We had no illusions to the contrary.
    The owl giggled.
    We seem to be finishing the way we began.
    The bear joked to his owl friend.
    In the blink of an eye two raccoons jumped out of the woods and fell upon Archie. The fox struggled but they managed to get him to his feet. The bear lunged at the fox with his sword leading the way. Years of stage combat training made the fox turn hard to his left. The raccoon then took the Chief’s sword in his side to the hilt.
    The bear withdrew the blade and took a step back as the pierced bandit fell dead to the ground. Archie saw the owl pull his arm back and throw his knife. The fox then turned hard to the right allowing the raccoon left standing to take the flying knife directly in his chest. As the raccoon fell, the fox pulled the knife from the dying bandit’s wound. He turned in time to find the bear directly in front of him. The fox blocked and avoided the sword with his arm and a turn. As he spun back, he drove the knife deep into the bear’s throat.
    The Chief dropped the sword as he grabbed at his  spewing neck. He fell to his knees and let loose a blood gurgling scream. Archie calmly picked up the sword. He could see the owl was turning to run. As he ran the fox took aim and flung the sword after him. It tumbled, end over end in the air, until it hit its mark. The sword entered the Owl’s back and severed his spinal cord. The Linguist was crippled and dead before he hit the ground.
    Four dead bodies now lay in the crossroads. The fox was still standing. Archie really hadn’t had time to think. He just did what he had to do to survive. There was nothing left for him now. He pulled the sword from the owl’s back, returned it to its clever cover, and decided to take it with him. He extricated the knife from the bear’s throat, clicked it closed, and put it in his pocket. The last thing he retrieved was the sack. Still in shock, the deadly fox chose none of the four directions at the crossroads for himself. Instead he decided to blaze his own trail through the woods.
    For years the fox walked the Empire, explored all its lands, and learned a new skill in each place. In the forests and mountains he learned combat from the Brigante. He learned to climb and tumble his way through the tallest trees know anywhere from the Monkeys of Mann. For pure joy he learned to play the balalaika.
    He created and wore masks everywhere he went in order to hide from his past and himself. He carried them all in the sack that he slung over his back. With every mask he created and dropped into his bag the lure of the stage called to him. He had